Greyville was the scene for high-quality Grade 1 racing over the weekend. SMART CALL (speed score 103) ran back to her best to win the Woolavington, just overhauling long-time leader PINE PRINCESS (s/s 102) in a tight finish. The winner, provided a first Grade 1 success for sire Ideal World, had run some really good races early at three. She appreciated a more patient ride and firmer ground this time, whilst the step up in trip also worked out just fine.
The Daily News is one of the highlights of the KZN season, pitting the best middle distance three year olds against one another. FRENCH NAVY (s/s 105) has performed consistently at a high level in Highveld features and is still making impressive progress. He swept past ERTIJAAL (103) and THE CONGLOMERATE (102) to record a fluent victory. According to rider Raymond Danielson, FRENCH NAVY "won comfortably and still had plenty more to come...", which bodes well for his July prospects.
Stayer SOLID SPEED is able to quicken up, a rare attribute for a long distance type. He seized command midway down the stretch in the Grade 3 Lonsdale Stirrup Cup, running out an untroubled winner over DISCO AL and HEART OF A LION. Trainer Dean Kannemeyer is aiming SOLID SPEED for the Gold Cup, a race that he has won a couple of times before, so the Dynasty gelding will be given expert preparation to try extend his three - race winning roll.
